C.: We’re here with my cohost on Cal.E.’s Korner, nurse and author d.c. scot. d.c., I saw yesterday’s blog on social media, but not Friday’s. What happened to Friday’s blog?
d.: Apparently the farce checkers did. I will only say two things about that. The first is that, since it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the color to show support for the survivors and those suffering from this illness is pink, I had a picture of Ralph wearing that color. However, the farce checkers didn’t get the relevance, so I had to spell it out for them yesterday.
The second thing I have to say is that a county judge in the county I live in is facing criminal charges for accusing people of doing things they didn’t do or say on social media. He is facing a long sentence in a state-run prison and a large fine; so be careful where you point your fingers. If a county judge isn’t immune to the charges of libel, no one is.
C.: Okay, enough said. I did notice that when I looked at yesterday’s blog, Friday’s showed up under it, so y’all might want to keep that in mind. Anyway, back to the original subject. d.c., you feel a kinship to those suffering from breast cancer in a way, don’t you?
D.: I do, and there’s a reason for that, but the appropriate time to talk about that isn’t now.
C.: When, then?
D.: In May. We’ll revisit this conversation then, Cal.E. That’s the appropriate time to talk about it. For now, I’ll just expound on the subject of breast cancer a little. Breast Cancer in itself is a terrible illness, and these (mainly) ladies and few men who suffer from it must go through not only having their breasts removed, but also radiation and chemotherapy, in most instances. Those two treatments basically destroy one’s immune system, but these patients must also deal with having all their lymph nodes removed from under the arm on the affected side. If the cancer is bilateral….
C.: Meaning in both breasts, right?
d.: Yes, if both breasts are affected, then these patients will lose all their lymph nodes in their upper body. That makes them susceptible to almost all illnesses of the respiratory system until the body can readjust to this reality.
C.: How long will that take?
D.: After ten years, the body should adjust.
C.: That’s a long time, d.c.
d.: That’s why you might see some people wearing surgical masks even if Covid isn't prevalent in the area. Also keep in mind that a cancer patient is never considered to be cured, because that illness can come back at any time.
C.: I thought that, after seven years, a cancer survivor was considered cured.
D.: That’s not exactly true, Cal.E. After a cancer patient has been in remission for seven years, it is assumed that s/he won’t have any more of that type of cancer, but there are exceptions. I’ve known of at least two people who were eight years beyond their last treatment and the cancer came back. That’s why cancer patients are considered to be in remission when the cancer is no longer active.
C.: So, there’s really no such thing as being completely cured of cancer, is there?
D.: No, not really. The saying in the medical community is that, if one lives long enough, s/he will encounter some type of cancer in his or her lifetime. It’s almost a given. The fortunate thing is that we live in an age when the medical community is very good at diagnosing and treating cancer, as long as it’s caught in time. Additionally, we’re fortunate enough to live in a city that boasts having the hospital that is ranked number one in the world in cancer research.
C.: Wow! I know how fond you are of that hospital. Do you care to share the name of it?
D.: Yes, it’s M.D. Anderson, in the Texas Medical Center, just south of downtown Houston, Texas.
C.: I think that’s a good note to end this blog on. If you aren’t familiar with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, access their website. It is very informative.
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